Fillmore man accused of carjacking, threats, shooting dog

A suspect who the Ventura County Sheriff's Department calls a "known gang member" is in jail, accused of several crimes following a carjacking Sunday morning in Somis.

The arrest came at the end of a chase that involved the carjacking, a car crash, a gunshot to a dog and threats to two people with a handgun.

According to the department, John Beaudion, 56, of Camarillo was driving his BMW in the 7400 block of Bradley Road in Somis when he stopped and stepped out of his car to remove some brush blocking the road.

The suspect, Gerardo Sillas, 28, of Fillmore, allegedly emerged from the brush and pointed a handgun at Beaudion. The suspect allegedly demanded Beaudion's wallet and car, which Beaudion surrendered.

After the suspect drove away, Beaudion summoned authorities with his cell phone.

A short time later, the driver of the car lost control of it and crashed in the 8000 block of Balcom Canyon Road, causing major damage to the car. He then took off on foot, deputies said.

After deputies found the car in a field off Balcom Canyon Road, they received a call from a resident nearby who said his dog had been shot. Authorities said they believe Sillas shot the dog shortly after crashing the car. The dog was stabilized and its wounds did not appear to be life-threatening.

The suspect's trail then led to a 17-year-old male who was working in a field on Posita Road. The fieldworker said Sillas brandished a gun at him.

Another 911 call then came in to report "a man with a gun" at the end of Posita Road. Deputies and California Highway Patrol officers caught up with Sillas, disarmed and arrested him.

Sillas was booked into county jail on charges of carjacking, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, brandishing a weapon, cruelty to an animal and resisting arrest. Because he is considered a known Fillmore gang member, he was also booked for street terrorism. The investigation is being handled by the sheriff's Gang Unit.